the lost
US Stories
Answer Key
The Gift of the Magi by O Henry
Pre-reading exercises
Key vocabulary
Describing the flat
1
1i; 2d; 3h; 4a; 5f; 6b; 7e; 8g; 9j; 10c; 11k
Talking about money and the lack of it
1
a, d
2
b, e
3
c, f
Main themes
2, 3 Student’s own answers
Post-reading exercises
Understanding the story 1
By being very careful how much she spent on food.
2
To confirm the amount; perhaps she hoped she had made a mistake and there would be more than she first thought.
3
To buy her husband a Christmas present.
4
She wanted to buy a good present but had managed to save very little money.
5
Della’s husband.
6
We know that when Jim arrives home, he is always greatly hugged by his wife.
7
She had an idea and wanted to look at her hair.
8
Jim’s gold watch and Della’s hair.
9
She had decided to sell her hair.
10
Not completely: she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet. 11
$20
12
The shop advertised Hair Goods of All Kinds; it would probably be used to make wigs and hair pieces.
Macmillan Readers
The Gift of the Magi
This page has been downloaded from www.macmillanenglish.com. It is photocopiable, but all copies must be complete pages.
© Macmillan Publishers Limited 2009. Published by Macmillan Heinemann ELT. Heinemann is a registered trademark of Pearson Education, used under licence.
1
US Stories
Answer Key
13
She went to various stores.
14
She bought a platinum fob watch chain.
15
Because it was simple and chaste in design and, like Jim, represented quietness and value.
16
He used an old leather strap for his watch and didn’t like it to be seen.
17
To make it look better.
18
Not really, but she felt that she had no choice.
19
Yes, she was.
20
He stared fixedly at Della.
21
(Suggested
Answer Key
The Gift of the Magi by O Henry
Pre-reading exercises
Key vocabulary
Describing the flat
1
1i; 2d; 3h; 4a; 5f; 6b; 7e; 8g; 9j; 10c; 11k
Talking about money and the lack of it
1
a, d
2
b, e
3
c, f
Main themes
2, 3 Student’s own answers
Post-reading exercises
Understanding the story 1
By being very careful how much she spent on food.
2
To confirm the amount; perhaps she hoped she had made a mistake and there would be more than she first thought.
3
To buy her husband a Christmas present.
4
She wanted to buy a good present but had managed to save very little money.
5
Della’s husband.
6
We know that when Jim arrives home, he is always greatly hugged by his wife.
7
She had an idea and wanted to look at her hair.
8
Jim’s gold watch and Della’s hair.
9
She had decided to sell her hair.
10
Not completely: she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet. 11
$20
12
The shop advertised Hair Goods of All Kinds; it would probably be used to make wigs and hair pieces.
Macmillan Readers
The Gift of the Magi
This page has been downloaded from www.macmillanenglish.com. It is photocopiable, but all copies must be complete pages.
© Macmillan Publishers Limited 2009. Published by Macmillan Heinemann ELT. Heinemann is a registered trademark of Pearson Education, used under licence.
1
US Stories
Answer Key
13
She went to various stores.
14
She bought a platinum fob watch chain.
15
Because it was simple and chaste in design and, like Jim, represented quietness and value.
16
He used an old leather strap for his watch and didn’t like it to be seen.
17
To make it look better.
18
Not really, but she felt that she had no choice.
19
Yes, she was.
20
He stared fixedly at Della.
21
(Suggested